Parma Ridge Vineyards Review
Address: 24509 Rudd Rd. Parma,Idaho 83660.
Phone Number: 208-946-5187
Tasting Hours: Fri 12:00-9:00, Sat 12:00-5:00, Sun 11:00-5:00 and by appt.
Region: Snake River Valley AVA, Idaho
Reviewer:
Review Date: 5/27/2016
Reviewer:
Rating: 5
The Review
Move over Stella, Sally has her wine groove back!
As anyone who knows me well may have realized, I have been in a rut when it comes to my love of all things wine. Over the past year and a half, there have been some things in my life that presented me with new challenges, and it was as if these obstacles had just sucked the joy right out of me. I tried new wines and worked on new wine projects, but it just wasnt there any longer. The excitement and joy I had experienced were gone. While many new wineries have popped up in our area, my desire to discover all that new goodness was gone. Everything seemed the same old, same old, and I really didnt want more of the intercity wine experience. The excitement of the citys hustle and bustle had worn off.
Well today my sweet husband offered to take me to lunch. He had told me that an old favorite winery of mine had reopened under new ownership and that they were open on Friday, Saturday and Sunday with a full lunch menu. A glass of local wine is always good as is the country ride to the small little berg of Parma, Idaho and I knew I would really enjoy the spring scenery on our ride even if the food turned out to be just so-so finger foods.
Located at 24509 Rudd Road in Parma, the views of sky and land from Parma Ridge Vineyards are simply amazing. The wine tasting room and restaurant are set atop the side of a bluff that overlooks the vineyards, farmlands, and ponds. On the horizon sits Bogus Basin nestled atop Boises local mountain front. There is a very nice outdoor patio with plenty of seating to sip, eat, and enjoy the views. The whole east side of the tasting room and restaurant are adorned with large windows to let you take in the views even on a cold winters day.
From the minute I walked into the tasting area I was wowed. The modern spacious room was adorned with colorful, oil landscape paintings done by owner Stephanie Hodge. Stepping inside Parma Ridge put the spring back into my attitude. I was won over. It felt good to be there.
Our first pour was a 2015 Chardonnay. Rosemary and grapefruit are the first things to come to mind with this wine. I usually dislike Chardonnay, but for the first time, I had found one that was smooth and that would be delightful on a warm day in August. Not too tart, not too flat, but perfect for a summer white wine. Yes people, a Chardonnay I would actually purchase and drink.
Our next pour was a 2015 Dry Riesling. This wine is full of melon and citrus notes. It is not as smooth as the Chardonnay but a nice Dry Riesling just the same.
2015 Tre Bianchi – A blend of 65% Riesling, 31% Chardonnay and 4% Gewürztraminer. There is an ever-so-slight sweetness balancing out the tartness of this full-bodied white. My first impression was that the flavor leans toward the Chardonnay.
2015 LaRea Dolce – This sweet Riesling is named for the wine makers mother Susan LaRea, and an homage to one of the sweetest people in the winemakers life. The aroma is very peachy. While I am usually not a fan of sweet wines, I found this one to be to my liking. I can imagine it with an array of summer desserts on our patio.
2014 Syrah – Heavy on tannins, black pepper, cinnamon and black licorice. A big, bold wine with a delightful aroma reminiscent of a night around the campfire.
2014 Reserve Merlot – My favorite. This wine has a floral bouquet. It is 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc. This bold red delights with its dark cherry and caramel flavors.
The 2014 Storm Red is available to club members only. I am proud to announce that I was able to taste this wine because of another first. I am now a member of my first wine club and totally excited about it. The Storm Red is a blend of 50% Syrah, 38% Merlot, and 12% Cabernet Franc all grown and harvested at Parma Ridge. This is the Cadillac of big, bold reds. Aromas of dark cherry are met with smooth licorice and pepper flavors. The finish is slightly smoky and does not disappoint.
On another note, the new wines are all graced with labels from Stephanies artwork; gorgeous, delightful scenes that make the heart sing.
Parma Ridge is also serving Payette Brewing Company Beer. This is great for those of us who have family or friends who prefer a brew. There are also drinks like Italian sodas available for those who are simply looking for a nice meal with great views.
Storm and Stephanie Hodge have managed to give the wine lover a whole new experience in Idaho. Storm, who is the winemaker and a professional chef, will provide you with a five-star lunch from a menu that will simply astound you.
Food items include flatbread pizza, sliders, burgers, char-grilled Kielbasa on a pretzel bun, truffle fries, salads, chowders, and soups. There are specials on Sunday. Todays specials included slow-braised beef short ribs with garlic mashed potatoes and grilled asparagus accompanied by homemade bread. For dessert, there was Viognier-poached pear or a decadent chocolate cake. Needless to say, I am very impressed with what I saw. It was a shot of inspiration, a breath of fresh, air and a very happy afternoon.
Stephanie and Storm are two of the nicest folks I have had the privilege to meet. You can bet that I will return to take in more of the wine, food, views, and art in this little piece of Heaven right in the middle of Parma, Idaho because thanks to Storm and Stephanie, Sallys got her wine groove back!